Paper holders



April 26, 1960 A. J. STOCKWELL 2,934,213

PAPER HOLDERS Filed March 3, 1958 FIG. I

INVENTOR ARTHUR J. STOCKWELL ATTORNEYS PAPER HOLDERS Arthur J.Stockwell, Hopkins, Minn.

Application March 3, 1958, Serial No. 718,625

2 Claims. (Cl. 211-57) The herein disclosed invention relates to paperholders and particularly to the type of holder having a base with apiercing spindle extending upwardly therefrom.

An object of the invention resides in providing a holder which will besafe to use and which will not injure the user when accidentallyengaging the piercing point of the spindle.

Another object of the invention resides in providing a spindle capableof bending intermediate its ends when encountered by a member of thehuman body but which will have suflicient rigidity to permit of applyinga sheet of paper to the piercing point and forcing the point through thepaper.

A still further object of the invention resides in providing a spindlewhich will bend substantially at the locality of its issuance from thebase.

An object of the invention resides in providing a spindle constructed ofsome suitable plastic material such as polyethylene.

Other objects of the invention reside in the novel combination andarrangement of parts and in the details of construction hereinafterillustrated and/or described.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is an elevational view of a paper holder illustrating anembodiment of the invention and with a portion of the base broken awayto illustrate the manner of attachment of the spindle to the base.

Fig. 2 is a plan view of the paper holder.

States Patent Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the spindle of thepaper holder drawn to a greater scale.

The invention comprises a base 10 and from which issues a spindle 11.The base shown is circular in form and may be constructed of a plasticmaterial, metal or wood, and may be of any ornamental configurationdesired. The base is heavy enough to support the spindle with the papersto be carried thereon and is of suflicient size to restrict overturningof the holder.

The spindle 11 is preferably diamond-shaped in crosssection though acylindrical or other shaped spindle will also suflice. At its upper orfree end, the spindle 11 is constructed with a piercing point 12 whichis sharp enough to penetrate a sheet of paper pressed thereon but whichis blunt enough to prevent injury to the skin of the user whenaccidentally contacting said point. When the spindle is constructed asshown in Fig. 3, tearing edges 13 result which assist in directing thepaper on the spindle and prevent rotation of the paper once the same hasbeen applied.

For attaching the spindle 11 to the base 10, a head 14 is formed at thelower end of said spindle and from which issues a threaded shank 15.This shank is adapted to screw into threads 16 formed in the center ofthe base 10. The head 14 is greater in diameter than the shank 15 toform a shoulder 17 therebetween and which engages the upper surface 18of the base 10. If desired, the head 14 can be knurled to permit ofmanual assembly with the fingers or the same can be constructedhexagonal to permit of applying the spindle with a small wrench.

While the spindle has been illustrated as screwed into the base, theshank of the same may be made without threads and pressed into thesocket formed in the base or cemented or headed to the base. If desired,the spindle and base can be constructed integral.

The material from which the spindle is constructed is a flexible,elastic material which, when pressed on its pointed end with suflicientforce or pressed laterally, will bend to prevent injury to the member ofthe users body coming in contact therewith. A well known material may bean ethylene resin such as polyethylene, sold in the trade under thetrademark Dylan and denoted by the formula (CI-I CH The particularmaterial found most suitable is a high density polyethylene having thetrademark Super-Dylan. If desired, other plastic material could be usedsuch as nylon, styrene, or other similar materials. The requirementswould of course be that the spindle would not readily break on repeatedheadings, and that it would be rigid enough with a blunt point to effectpiercing of the paper.

In use the spindle is sold detached and would be secured to the base inthe manner directed. The holder would then be ready for use. To applythe paper, the sheet would be held at opposite edges by both hands andin a horizontal position over the piercing point of the spindle. Byforcing the paper downwardly by a rapid movement, the piercing pointwould pass through the paper without bending the spindle. When, however,the user accidentally applied sufficient force to the spindle. the samewould bend and prevent injury to the user.

The advantages of the invention are manifest. The paper holder is safeto use and will not cause accidental injury to the user or to childrenattempting to play with the same. The holder can be constructed at anominal expense and from materials readily available. Colored plasticsmay be used to enhance the appearance of the same and to match the colorscheme of furniture or other oflice fixtures.

Changes in the specific form of the invention, as herein described, maybe made Within the scope of what is claimed without departing from thespirit of the invention.

Having described the invention, what is claimed as new and desired to beprotected by Letters Patent is:

1. In a paper holder, a base, and a single flexible resilient spindlecarried by said base and extending upwardly therefrom, said spindlebeing formed with a piercing point and having suificient rigidity topenetrate a sheet of paper pressed on said point and having suificient'flexibility and resilience to bend when engaged by a member of the humanbody to prevent injury to said member and to return to normal positionwhen released.

2. In a paper holder, a base, and a single flexible resilient spindlecarried by said base and extending upwardly therefrom, said spindlebeing formed with a piercing point, said spindle being constructed ofpolyethylene and having suflicient rigidity to penetrate a sheet ofpaper pressed on said point and having sufficient flexibility andresilience to bend when engaged by a member of the human body to preventinjury to said member and to return to normal positionwhen released.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS110,500 Richards Dec. 27, 1870 1,381,035 Urban June 7, 1921 2,092,162Hiatt Sept. 17,1937 2,116,369 Stolp May 3, 1938 2,341,403 Williams Feb.8, 1944 2,803,087 Zalkind Aug. 20, 1957

